II. The United Nations Security Council in state-based armed conflicts, 2003–12

Chapter:

2. Armed conflict

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2014

Author(s):

Neil Melvin, Isak Svensson, Magnus Lundgren, Peter Wallensteen, Patrik Johansson, Lotta Themnér, Camilla Schippa, Daniel Hyslop

The United Nations Security Council is the prime global body for handling threats to international peace and security. But there is a continuous debate about whether the Council is biased in its attention to state-based conflicts around the world, with some claiming that it is hypocritical in addressing some conflicts but not treating others in an equal manner. This accusation is often directed against the Western members of the Council. There is also a fear that the Council's attention is skewed by the composition of its permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, all of which were the victors of World War II, which ended almost 70 years ago. It is claimed that additional permanent members would mean more attention being paid to conflicts that are otherwise neglected.¹ An examination of the record of Security Council action will show whether these claims are valid or not.²